.Aug 12, 2024, 10:00 AM ETThere's one thing exclusive about a combined fighting styles activity Down Under.Maybe it's the time warp a N. American enthusiast knowledge while seeing matches on television on a Saturday night as well as recognizing that they are actually taking place the observing early morning, true time. That's about as disorienting as being cageside in Australia as well as understanding that supporters halfway all over the world are actually enjoying the fisticuffs live ... last night.Or perhaps it's one thing else that creates enjoying MMA battles in Australia think thus unusual. Maybe it is actually the matches themselves, which often possess several exclamation points affixed. Any individual following the sport for a number of years has actually observed the truth twists that may emanate coming from crate battles in this section of the Southern Hemisphere.Mark Quest as well as Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva gave an occupation's truly worth of heavyweight damages on one another throughout one unforgettable evening in Brisbane in 2013. A record-setting evening (morning?) in Sydney a year eventually, along with 11 matches and also 11 appearances. And, naturally, Holly Holm kicking Ronda Rousey off her higher horse at UFC 193 in 2015 in Melbourne. That occasion set up a business attendance record that stood up until the Octagon was reminded Melbourne in 2019 as well as 57,127 filled Marvel Coliseum to enjoy Israel Adesanya knock out Robert Whittaker and also become middleweight champion.When the eight-sided crate come back to Australia on Sunday, the past two-time champ is going to challenge Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 305 in Perth. Vulnerable is going to be actually certainly not just a glossy strap yet the take pride in of a continent 5,000 kilometers away, as each competitors are actually originated in Africa, though with far various lifestyle experiences.That's the origin of only one of numerous interesting storylines that are going to participate in out this weekend. Listed here are actually five things to watch for at UFC 305. Who will draw the homeland on a far-off bank? 1. Middleweight championship: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya squares off with Dricus Du Plessis generally occasion at UFC 305. Picture through Will Russell/Zuffa LLCSaturday's main event is in Western Australia, although the touchy territory war is connected to a land on the far edge of the Indian Sea. Du Plessis was actually born and still resides in South Africa. Adesanya was birthed in Nigeria as well as relocated along with his family members to New Zealand when he was 10 years outdated. Because of those diverse life pathways, Du Plessis once proclaimed, "I am the African competitor in the UFC." That performed certainly not agree with Adesanya, who has said his loved ones departed trying to find informative opportunities.Editor's Picks1 RelatedIf there is actually an animosity included in the presently skyscraping risks, therefore be it. It is actually certainly not an essential component to create this an interesting battle, but let's not overlook that the last opportunity Adesanya remained in an animosity-fueled match, he designated on Paulo Costa prior to knocking him out in 2020. His one KO since then came against Alex Pereira in 2014, five months after Pereira had KO 'd him. So "The Last Stylebender" has shown a thirst for the get-back, specifically versus powerful aggressors. Can Adesanya's counterpunching quit the short reign of Du Plessis, that has bulldozed his way to nine wins in a row?Which fixing venture will courageous? 2. Male's flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve ErcegThe initially 2 opportunities Kara-France competed in the UFC, the matches happened in Australia and also he was actually type of the regional guy. He's in fact from New Zealand, 1,300 miles all over the Tasman Sea, yet his rivals were actually from the opposite of the globe, the USA as well as Brazil. This moment, though, it's an away game for Kara-France, as Erceg was actually birthed in Perth and also resides 20 minutes from RAC Field. Erceg has actually fought in his neighborhood six times, however all just before his finalizing with the UFC last summertime. He is actually brought in just 4 vacations inside the Octagon and already has actually completed for the 125-pound title.That final aspect highlights how this battle, like the main event, concerns much more than geography. Erceg, 29, was actually using an 11-fight winning touch when he unsuccessfully tested Alexandre Pantoja in May. Kara-France, 31, made a bid for an acting belt in 2022, dropping through TKO to ex-champ Brandon Moreno. Both Kara-France and also Erceg remain in fixing method. A loss below would not be the end of the street towards opponent status, but it could deliver that boxer on an inhibiting detour.Can we all merely enjoy a turning great time? 3. Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho RozenstruikTai Tuivasa hopes to finish a four-fight losing streak at UFC 305 on Saturday night. Picture through Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC using Getty ImagesI feel regretful for nurturing Tuivasa matches as long as I carry out. Sure, I really like watching a finely tuned athlete flaunt specialized fight skill-sets in bring upon harm and closing down what a challenger can easily toss their means. That's the blended martial arts I fit being an enthusiast of. However I merely can not avert coming from a slobber knocker, which is what Tuivasa constantly promises.Top accounts of the full week from Receive exclusive access to countless premium posts a year coming from best writers. u2022 MLB prophecies: Will Court attacked 60 HRs? "u2022 Barnwell: NFL playoff crews to come back "u2022 Final CFB preseason SP+ rankings" More ESPN+ content ".What the Aussie may certainly not always promise, certainly, is his fantastically revolting postfight event, the shoey. The beer as well as footwear show up merely in triumph, and Tuivasa has actually lost four matches straight. However listed here's one thing deserving of commemorating, even before the first haymaker is affaired through these heavy-handed heavyweights: the matchmaking. Rozenstruik can swing for the fences like Tuivasa, therefore this one should be actually fun while it lasts.Will this amount change prosper? 4. Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan HookerI was actually starting to obtain tense for Courtesan-- comparable to the nerves of viewing Tony Ferguson compete at 40 years old. Whore is simply 34 as well as his skid had not been fairly as sad, however during a stretch coming from June 2020 by means of March 2022, he went down four of 5 battles, acquiring ended up in every however among the reductions. It ought to be actually kept in mind that those defeats came against Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Arnold Allen-- not a tomato can amongst all of them. And Hooker has actually considering that recovered with a pair of success over enemies an action lower on the step ladder (Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles). The trouble for Woman of the streets is that this battle places him right back on top degree of competition. Gamrot has gained seven of 8 battles as well as is on the edge of the headline image. Will he be actually a lot of for Hooker, or even will Gamrot get nudged away from the frame?One boxer's ceiling is another boxer's ... roof? 5. Women's flyweight: Casey O'Neill vs. Luana SantosO'Neill was actually 9-0 after she succeeded her 4th direct UFC battle in early 2022, and also onlookers were actually beginning to speculate on where her ceiling was actually. But now she performs a two-fight skid, as well as the guesswork concerns just how much her falloff may be. On the other hand, Santos is three fights into her UFC run, riding a five-fight winning streak and also resembling a rising possibility. This is actually a necessary test for both women, a level setter. O'Neill is actually 26 years of ages, while Santos is actually just 24. So their story might weave for many years.